Our entire middle school experiences a week away from school every September. But more importantly for our students they are an entire week away from their laptops. Our school has been 1 to 1 for four years now, and our students have become use to technology and their laptops to the point that carrying laptops is normal/natural. So how natural is it then to go without a laptop and the internet for 7 days? Please view the following video clips I took before camp, during, and after. They are hilarious and revealing.
Just lost my laptop for a week!
So typical responses from these teenagers, but one student found the answer:
Survived without laptop by using other technology
Hmm…not quite a tech-fast with all the other technology out there, but here is how a few students viewed their life without their laptops.
Can’t communicate without laptop
So many kids view their laptops not as a teaching tool, but as a way to communicate with their friends out of class. Kids come to school and look forward to school because of the social aspects. The laptop is another way to keep social. Luckily though some kids get what a week with friends and camp can do for them socially as well.
No Facebook, but camp is social reality
Other kids use it for entertainment/gaming and without it they feel lost.
In fact it was HORRIBLE for many:
Horrible weekend without laptop
And very lonely for others:
Lonely but my laptop completes me
During camp the kids didn’t seem to notice. They were having fun and no technology was in sight.
But all I had to do was ask some laptop questions…
And another student explained that technology and the internet means being connected to the world; connected to the news and sports:
Laptop= news and sports, being in the know
So on the way home I asked a bus load of students about their laptops and what they would do when they get home:
Last day without Laptop on Bus Question
So they had fun at camp, but they all admitted they would log on and use their laptop in some manner that night. And when they got their laptops back dancing occurred:
Hugging and dancing occurred:
Hugging and Dancing after ten days without Laptop
And laptops became animated, humanized, and relationships were renewed with their machine:
Students couldn’t wait to get on their laptops at home:
Waiting in Hallway with LAPTOPS ON
One astute student did seem to get it. Laptops are only tools.
In fact when another student was asked about how laptops help at school he clearly stated that laptops aren’t what make school good, but they do help at home with the homework. Just another tool at school.
Laptop helps with homework not school
And ultimately technology and laptops can’t help teachers…
Poor guy!
So what did I learn about our 1 to 1 students in regards to their dependancy on technology and laptops?
1. They like their laptops (LOVE)
2. They like them because they help them socialize, listen to music, play games, and watch YouTube.
3. Though they may not admit it, they can survive and enjoy time without the laptop.
4. They recognize that the laptop is a tool for homework, organization, and keeping contact with friends and the world.
5. Can they give up their laptop for a week? YES, no problem.
6. But is you give them the choice? No, they wouldn’t give up the laptop.
Camp was great not because of the activities, but because of the students. They are great and they love to have fun. That hasn’t changed and nor do I expect that to change. I admit I also missed my internet and laptop, but it was nice to escape and see that our students aren’t the technology zombies we worry they may have become.
